CGTN animation illustrates origin, celebration of Spring Festival

China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Thursday released a brief animation to illustrate the origin, development and modern celebration of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which marks the beginning of a new year on the Lunar Calendar.

The animation was released on the occasion of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adding the Chinese Spring Festival to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking the global recognition of this vibrant celebration and cherished cultural tradition.

The date of Spring Festival is determined by the traditional lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar widely in use today. The key distinction is that the Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth's orbit around the sun, while the lunar calendar follows the moon's orbit around the Earth.

As its name implies, the Spring Festival celebrates the arrival of spring. However, the festival was far from a celebratory occasion at its inception.

According to legend, a fearsome monster called Nian would terrorize villages at night until a humble old man mysteriously appeared. Through the use of loud noises and red decorations, he succeeded in frightening Nian away for good.

Today, the widespread use of the color red remains a key holiday tradition, symbolizing passion and renewal in Chinese culture.

The Spring Festival has evolved into one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide, with approximately one fifth of the global population participating. It has spread to numerous countries across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Similar to Christmas in the West, the Spring Festival is a time for reunions and sharing. It is an occasion to gather with family, offer gifts, and share home-cooked meals with friends. Families make an effort to reunite for the traditional New Year dinner, while old friends reflect on and reminisce about cherished memories.

The 2025 Spring Festival will fall on January 29, 2025.

CGTN animation illustrates origin, celebration of Spring Festival

A memorial event was held at Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Aktau on Thursday to mourn the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash.

Locals, united in sorrow, have gathered in front of the consulate, laying flowers in memory of those who lost their lives.

Amidst the mourning, Kazakhstan's officials have also visited the consulate, expressing their deepest condolences and reaffirming their commitment to stand by Azerbaijan during this painful time.

Aykhan Suleymanov, Consul General of Azerbaijan in the Aktau, met the families of the victims and other officials. He offered his condolences and support during the meeting.

The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines with flight number J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

Of all the 67 people on board, 38 were killed in the crash, and 29 survivors including two children were pulled from the wreckage, Kazakh authorities said on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Aktau holds memorial for plane crash victims